Obs. Also [5 blek(e], 5–6 bleche, bleeche, bletche. [A derivative of BLACK, but the etymological formation is obscure. ME. bleche looks like the southern form of blek, bleke in same sense, prob. identical with Icel. blek, Sw. bläk, Da. blæk blacking, ink: see BLECK. But it may go back to an OE. blęce or blæce: see BLACK. Bleech, bleach are later spellings of bleche. But bletche implies a ME. blecche, OE. *blęcce, parallel to BLATCH, ME. blacche, OE. *blæcce, on the Teut. types *blakjo- and *blakkjo-: see BLACK.]
1. Any substance used for blacking; e.g., ink, soot, lamp-black, and esp. shoemakers’ or curriers’ black used for leather.
[c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 39. Bleke, atramentum.
c. 1483. Cath. Angl., 34. Blek.]
a. 1500. in Wr.-Wülcker, Voc., 566. Atramentum, anglice, bleche.
1530. Palsgr., 199/1. Bleche for souters, attrament.
1576. Baker, Gesner’s Jewell of Health, 101 b. Shoemakers yncke or bleeche.
1580. Baret, Alv., B 794. Courriors bleach … atramentum sutorium.
1611. Cotgr., Attrament, inke; or bleach for Shoomakers. Ibid., Suye, soot of a chimney; any bleach.
† 2. Hence, in the old ‘Compaynys of beestys [etc.]’ the term for, A company of sutors. Obs.
1486. Bk. St. Albans, F vj b. A Bleche of sowteris, a Smere of Coryouris, a Clustre of Grapys.
